Kamakura

Hali and I left our hotel early, walked though the vast underground Shiodome spaces to Shinbashi Station and took the train for Kamakura. We had read that there was an interesting hiking trail there . . . another one of those anticipation-turning-into-reality experiences.

The train took us past Yokohama to the small station of Kita Kamakura (North Kamakura.) We got out our guidebook pages and fussed a bit, but eventually headed off in the right direction, towards the Zen temple complex of Engaku-ji. Very pretty place, but I don’t see how anyone could possibly attain satori with the noise of the trains and all the schoolkids running around.

After I bought a T-shirt at Engaku-ji we walked to Tokei-ji, a former nunnery. Nicely landscaped spot with a statue of the Buddha surrounded by colorful foliage.

From Tokei-ji we embarked on a real hike, past a weathered gate and up into the hills with some steep going at times. We eventually ended up at the Zeniarai Benten Shrine, a "money washing" shrine. If you wash your money there, it will double. Or something like that. The wooden toriis leading to the entrance caught my photographer’s attention.

We had already hiked up, now it was time to hike down into the town of Kamakura. The forecast called for rain; under threatening skies we stopped for lunch at a very pleasant teahouse chosen at random. Most of what the proprietress offered was sweet, but we were able to order a satisfying lunch.

Finally, rain drops and the train station in Kamakura where we hopped on an incorrect train (of course) ending up somewhere in Tokyo, but eventually finding our way back to Shinbashi.

Photos: Buddha, Tokei-ji, Kamakura, 2008; Lantern, Engaku-ji—Kamakura, 2008; Gate—Kamakura, 2008; Toriis—Kamakura, 2008; Teahouse—Kamakura, 2008